Hyderabad: The exploitation of minors in conflict zones has become a pressing national concern. Children as young as eleven and twelve are being drawn into the perilous path, a dangerous world of extremism, particularly in India’s tribal regions.
Alarming trend
This alarming trend is escalating as Maoists, reeling from significant losses in recent years seek to rebuild their ranks by recruiting young individuals who have little to no connection with their ideology or its historical roots. In a deeply concerning revelation, authorities have uncovered the recruitment and training of minors by extremist groups in the forests of Chhattisgarh. This alarming trend came to light following an encounter in which Sudhakar alias Sarayya, a Maoist leader from Warangal, was killed in Chhattisgarh.
Four- page letter
A four-page letter found in his possession detailed the recruitment of minors, raising serious ethical and humanitarian concerns. The letter reportedly disclosed that 25 individuals were recruited from Indravati zone and another 130 from a different location. Among these recruits, 65 were children aged 12 to 13, while 40 were between 14 and 17 years old.
The remaining 50 recruits were young adults aged 18 to 22. These individuals underwent rigorous training for five months, as per the letter’s contents. Authorities suspect that Sarayya had written this letter to the central committee, though the exact timeline of its creation remains unclear. The recruitment of minors into such activities not only violates their fundamental rights but also exposes them to unimaginable risks and trauma.
Children as Pawns
The use of children as pawns in extremist agendas is a stark reminder of the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable populations and address the root causes of such exploitation. Operation Kagar has left the Maoist strengths depleted in India. Reports indicate that over 300 Maoists have been killed in encounters during the last two years as part of this operation.
